HC Deb 28 November 1989 vol 162 cc173-4W
Dr. Marek

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the ban on the televising of speeches by members of Sinn Fein extends to the transmission of historical programmes containing recordings of speeches by deceased supporters of Sinn Fein.

Mr. Mellor

The directions prevent the broadcasting of direct statements by persons representing, or purporting to represent, the organisations named in the notices, or which support, or invite support for, those organisations. The directions do not distinguish between statements made by the living and recordings of statements by those who have died.

Mr. Corbett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of the Independent Broadcasting Authority have been required to resign for being in breach of schedule 1(4) to the Broadcasting Act 1981.

Mr. Mellor

None.

Mr. Corbett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to how many former Independent Broadcasting Authority members by name compensation has been paid when they have ceased to be a member of the authority otherwise than on the expiry of their term of office.

Mr. Mellor

None.

Mr. Corbett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last satisfied himself that no member of the Independent Broadcasting Authority has a financial or other interest in any advertising agency or in any business concerned with the manufacture or sale of apparatus for wireless telegraphy or other telegraphic equipment or in any business consisting or intended to consist in whole or in part of entering into or carrying out contracts with the Independent Broadcasting Authority for the provision of programmes or parts of programmes.

Mr. Mellor

Under schedule 1(4) to the Broadcasting Act 1981, my right hon. and learned Friend has to be satisfied on these matters before appointing a person to be a member of the Independent Broadcasting Authority. This procedure is carried out before each appointment is made, and repeated annually for existing members.

Mr. Corbett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will list those public bodies concerned with aspects of broadcasting to which he has powers to appoint.

Mr. Mellor

My right hon. and learned Friend is responsible for appointments to the following bodies concerned with broadcasting:

  • Broadcasting Complaints Commission
  • Broadcasting Standards Council
  • Cable Authority
  • Independent Broadcasting Authority
  • Welsh Fourth Channel Authority.

Appointments to the British Broadcasting Corporation are made by Her Majesty the Queen by Order in Council.